A jealous man who attacked his estranged wife has been handed a “cooling off” order by a judge.

Robert Wimpenny attacked Maria when they went to watch the Tour de France in Honley and later damaged her front door with an axe.

But in an unusual ruling at Leeds Crown Court, Judge James Spencer QC told Wimpenny : “There will be a cooling off period so I can be sure you have come to terms with the new circumstances and there is not going to be any further trouble.”

Richard Walters prosecuting said that Wimpenny and his wife Maria had separated in December last year after 13 years together, 10 of them married.

The relationship had generally been good and they remained friends but then she had begun a new relationship and he started asking where she had been and she believed him to be jealous. They arranged to watch the Tour de France together with some other friends on July 6. When he arrived he had been drinking and wanted to know her whereabouts the evening before.

He suddenly went behind her and used his arm to put her in choke hold, shouting and swearing and telling her not to lie to him.

He was abusive in a subsequent phone call and later that evening she was at home in Holmfirth when she heard banging outside and called the police. She discovered about £100 damage had been done to the door with an axe.

Wimpenny said he was ashamed and did not know why he had damaged the door on the spur of the moment.

Adam Birkby representing Wimpenny told the court the behaviour was totally out of character for him and he was deeply remorseful.

“He accepts the impact his behaviour would have had on his wife and daughter. They are separated and are not going to get back together.”

He said Wimpenny had sought counselling, there was harmony between the couple now and he had got used to the fact she had got a boyfriend.

Wimpenny, 52 of Roundway, Honley, admitted common assault, damage and having a bladed article.

Deferring sentence until December 1, Judge Spencer told him if he demonstrated “a mature attitude” towards his former partner “I will be able to follow the recommendation in the pre-sentence report.”